Montreal in Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada, is geographically an island situated in the country’s southeast. Living in Montreal is excellent, and it is ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities and considered one of the world’s happiest locations. With 45.000 immigrants opting to relocate to the city every year, it is a common choice for people looking to move abroad.
If you are considering moving internationally, this is a great choice. This place is a cultural and artistic hub, with several world-renowned art galleries and exhibitions popping up all over the region. This is one of the most conveniently positioned cities in Canada, just an 8-hour drive from NYC, Toronto, and Boston. In July, people experience hot summers, while winters with snow, wind, and rain can bring freezing weather. Overall, it can definitely be considered to be one of the best places to live in Canada.
Basic Things to Know About Montreal
As we have already stated, this Canadian province of Quebec is the second most populated city in one of the friendliest countries in the world. Established as Ville-Marie or “City of Mary” in 1642, it is named after Mount Royal, which is located in the center of the city. The area is based on the Island of Montreal and on a few much smaller neighboring islands, of which Île Bizard is the largest. The city sits 122 miles east of the capital Ottawa, and 160 miles south-west of the provincial capital, Quebec City.
Is it Expensive to Live in Montreal?
This is a place that is very vibrant. It’s full of music, tradition, lovely landmarks, friendly people, and living in it isn’t too pricey. The estimated monthly cost of a single person is about $1,000 per month, according to Numbeo, a website that measures the cost of living in cities around the world. And that’s without the rent. In downtown, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,000, as well. Watch the video below to see some prices in the old town.
What is Considered a Good Salary in Montreal?
Salaries vary from $26,600 per year to $470,000 per year. Now, bear in mind that you still need to add the taxes when considering how much money you have to make to afford monthly expenses. Although an average annual cost comes to $28,400, to afford those expenses, you currently need to have a wage of $36,700 to live comfortably in this place.
The Cost of Living is Lower Compared to Ottawa
The cost of living in Montreal is considered to be more affordable than the cost of living in Ottawa. For instance, consumer prices here are 4,28% lower than in Ottawa, as well as the amounts needed for rent, eating out, and transportation.
Best Neighbourhoods in MTL
There are many great neighborhoods in downtown and commuter areas on both the south and the north shore. Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider:
- Mont-Royal – This neighborhood, which is very popular among students, is close to downtown. A major bonus is the urban Parc du Mont-Royal, and the homes are also very spacious.
- Pointe-Claire – Although this community is a suburb, it is still on the island, making it a popular place for commuters, especially those who want an outdoor area and a larger home.
- Brossard – Nearly 80,000 people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds reside in this neighborhood. The more affordable price point, mostly due to the vast number of semi-detached homes, is one explanation for its popularity.
Pros of Living in Montreal Canada
From the City of a Hundred Steeples and the City of Saints to more down-to-Earth Quebec’s Metropolis, this city has a lot of nicknames. If you’re drawn to living overseas in a world-renowned metropolitan environment, then this could be a beautiful place to live. In this liberal, progressive, and friendly place, there are a lot of things to enjoy.
Lower Rents
You’ll notice this place has lower apartment rentals whether you’re coming for education or are single and have a career. As contrasted with many other Canadian towns, this is exceptionally true. Numbeo reports that in downtown, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about 960 USD. That same apartment would cost you about 1,150 USD in Ottawa. Also, you could find great offers, for some landlords might offer you the first month or two without the rent.
Great Public Art Scene and Culture
The town’s lively arts scene and cheap rent draw scores of struggling artists. Some examples of artists, poets, or writers who have called this city home are Leonard Cohen, Mordechai Richler, and the band Arcade Fire. Quebec’s Metropolis is a good place to interact with people who are culturally like-minded. What’s more, after 3 AM, the bars don’t close because there’s still plenty going on late at night. Even more, the city council recently wanted to hold certain bars open past 6 AM. The plan, though, did not go through. Still, here you can find pubs and clubs in almost every street and community. If you are moving abroad alone, you will find friends here soon.
Buy Beer in the Famous Montreal Corner Stores
If you don’t like nightlife but want a beer, in corner stores named dépanneurs, you can buy it whenever you like. Some of them even turned it up to the next level by introducing craft beer rooms, sushi bars, and snack shops. Overall, nothing beats having a cold beer just around the corner from your home on a humid day.
Montreal’s Many Festivals
Being a city of culture, there are many existing festivals here. That is one of the reasons people are moving across the world to come here. Think of this city, and you might think of the comedy festival Just for Laughs right away. If you want films about martial arts and horror, then you can go to the Fantasia Film Festival. Want jazz? The International Jazz Festival is your thing then. If alternative rock is your style, you certainly should visit the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. Looking for a festival in January? There’s Igloofest. Here, there’s almost always some sort of festival going on all year round.
The Cons of Life in Montreal
However, as well as there are pros, there are also some definite downsides to relocating to the area.
Living in Montreal Without Speaking French is Hard
If you just know either English or French, this is a wonderful place to visit. You will still find someone that will serve you. Still, you’ll need to know all official languages to live here. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to pursue well-paying jobs. Also, it will make you feel isolated in the city. Language problems can also arise due to political circumstances, but those have largely settled down recently.
The great news is that the city is welcoming to outsiders if you make a reasonable effort to speak French as a native English speaker. Someone will always be there to help you learn it. If you are relocating with kids and need tips for learning a new language and breaking the language barrier, there are programs for French immersion and children camps, as well. Overall, when you understand the language, this is definitely one of the best places to live abroad with family.
Taxes are High
Although the cost of living is relatively low, taxes are quite high. You could spend as much as a third of your salary on income taxes alone, according to the Montreal Gazette report. You will pay 16% provincial income tax if you earn up to $42,300. Then add the 15% you would pay in federal taxes. That’s a lot of money that goes to the taxes, and it’s in the lowest tax bracket. Furthermore, sales taxes are very high. The Quebec income tax is approximately 10%, combined with the 5% tax on goods and services. After all, the cheap rent may not be so cheap when your taxes swallow up what you would otherwise save.
Very Cold Winters
If you’re living in Vancouver or living in Toronto, and heading to Montreal, brace yourself. This city is home to winters that are long, snowy, and, some would say, cruel. In January, the daytime temperature averages around 14°F, but it is reported that the wind chills everything to -22°F. While there are many festivals and things to do here, the community can be quiet from December to March due to the climate.
Traffic and Transportation
The first thing to note is that city infrastructure is not that great. However, money in the federal budget since 2016 was heading into fixing Canadian infrastructure over a 10-year term. Also, public transit Is sometimes unreliable.
Still, if you can somehow compensate for these service delays, the reduced transportation cost could outweigh this. When it comes to prices of public transportation, the rate is lower for a monthly bus pass than in most other cities. A monthly pass comes for $83, while in Toronto, you’d have to splash $141.50. The local subway, the Metro, serves much of the area, and it is convenient to get to most places.
Bicycle Friendly Community
Here’s a great tip if you are moving to this city: you can rely on your bicycle for another form of transport. This city was named the best city in North America for cycling in 2013. It lost that position in the following years, but it remains ranked among the world’s top bicycle-friendly cities. Furthermore, it was the only Canadian city to be named on that list. All in all, cycle lanes are isolated from car traffic and safe for biking.
Getting Around Montreal Without a Car After Moving Here
It is easy, inexpensive, and reasonably safe to come here without your own vehicle. One-third of the households do not own a car. That involves keeping public transport and bicycles a feasible and green alternative to having a personal car, which is in the community’s best interest.
Is Moving to Montreal a Good Idea?
Is Montreal a good place to live? This place is one of the predominantly French-speaking metropolitan areas in the Great White North, and although this makes it quite difficult for those who know little or no French to settle here, the wide range of cultures provides great opportunities to encounter people from around the world and partake in various activities. Montreal is the place to be if you have a career planned out, enjoy music, and speak French. Business management, manufacturing, and retail are significant industries in the region. As it has the most colleges and schools per capita globally, it is also a center for students. Although the real annual family income is slightly smaller than the national average, the rates of rent and homes are substantially lower than those of most major cities. The worst downside, though, is that the city’s winters are colder than the Canadian average.
If you have decided on moving overseas to this charming town, you should hire a professional international moving company. An overseas relocating company will provide you with services such as packing services and international car shipping. Don’t wait too long, book them now so they can tell you tips on how to move to another country or how to move house plants long distance. You can focus on adjusting to a new country, while they do all the hard work.
